New Lincoln Seat System Relies On Molded Parts

Posted onOctober 28, 2016byDoug SmockComments Off on New Lincoln Seat System Relies On Molded Parts

Ford has applied for 83 patents on a new seat system that relies heavily on injection molded plastic components.

The modular composite front-seat cushion pan is being used on the 2017 Ford Motor Co. Lincoln Continental luxury sedan. Ford says that the system creates “a robust and dynamic crash-energy management system for front-impact protection, side airbag deployment, and energy management for occupant impact protection.” The system also enables modular assembly and scalable features for ease of assembly.

Plastics used include impact-modified 35 percent glass-reinforced Ultramid polyamide (nylon) from BASF, talc-filled TPO for a side-airbag deployment back panel, and Delrin polyacetal from DuPont.

Twelve patents have been granted to date on the seat system, which is a finalist in the 46th-annual SPE Automotive Innovation Awards competition. Winners will be announced Nov. 9 at Burton Manor in the suburbs of Detroit.

The 2017 Lincoln was introduced at the Detroit Auto Show last January.

New Continental seat system. (SPE Automotive Div.)

About Doug Smock

Former Chief Editor at Plastics World and Senior Technical Editor Design News